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Summary
President Asif Ali Zardari has signed on the bill of 19th amendment. The 19th amendment which is related to the appointment of judges has now become a part of the constitution. A ceremony for this occasion was held at Bilawal House Karachi. National Assembly and Senate have already approved the 19th amendment. On the other side, Federal Minister for Law Babar Awan has said that this 19th amendment is a new years gift for the nation. President Zardari also had a meeting with MQM delegation soon after the ceremony for signing the 19th amendment bill. In this meeting view were exchanged regarding the present political and social situation in the country. What is 19th amendment? The Supreme Court asked the parliament in its October verdict to bring changes to a two-pronged criterion for judges appointment; the all-party committee evolved earlier in the year through inserting a new article (175-A) in the 18th constitutional amendment.The government immediately announced it would abide by the court order and revived the Parliamentary Committee of Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) to undertake the task.After a few initial meetings over the next two months, the committee decided to explore various options to accommodate the Supreme Courts order in the constitution including bringing a 19th amendment.The Supreme Court in its interim order asked the parliament to amend the mechanism of appointment in such a way that it gives the chief justices a final say in nominating judges to be selected.In its maiden meeting early last month, the committee decided to implement the courts order in spirit though there were some half-muted voices against it from various political parties.
